Keeping RA on the back burner of life

It’s Always Something

I still have cold symptoms that started on December 1st, just when I was almost done recuperating. A relapse of sorts. I get better, then I get worse. But I can definitely say it’s all in my head. The congestion that is, the stuffiness, the nuisance of it all. As long as it stays above the neck, I figure I’m good.

During my hospitalization and immediately after, I forgot about my wrist. It took a back seat to everything that was going on with my body. My left wrist has been weak, swollen and painful since August. When I think about it I find that hard to believe. But it has. We increased the dose of the Methotrexate and the Prednisone in October, even though I really didn’t take the ten pills of MTX I agreed to.

I was afraid to. Not because of what it can do to my liver, my labs are always normal in that aspect (so far), but because ten is the max. If that doesn’t work then where do I go? What do I do?

We tried adding Plaquenil last year and all that did was give me bilateral tinnitus. The ENT doc got paid for telling me what I already knew. But as I told my rheumy last week, “It’s gotten much better. I only hear the ringing in my left ear when I concentrate on it.” His advice? “Don’t concentrate on it.” With a laugh. He’s always good for a laugh.

Knowing I had to go see him, I dutifully took the ten tabs for that week. That way I wouldn’t have to lie when he asked me about it. I’d actually only gone to nine tabs from eight. And the week I was admitted to the hospital I took none. The look of relief on the internist’s face when I told her was one for the record books. It would have been a self-inflicted wound to my non-existent immune system.

I was eager to wean off Prednisone, much more than the MTX, so he granted me that. Now I alternately take 5 mg one day and 2.5 mg the next, and will do so until my February visit. Mentally, I’m fine with that, it’s improvement. But now the knuckle at the base of my right thumb has issues with it. And right when I need my fine motor skills to wrap countless presents. I’m the wrapper-in-chief.

But I will persevere. And maybe, finally, pull the carton of Epsom Salt from underneath my kitchen sink. I’ve been meaning to do soaks for my wrist for months now. I keep forgetting it is there. I’m not sure if it will help, but now I guess my thumb will join in on the watery fun.

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4 thoughts on “It’s Always Something”

Aw, Irma, I’m so sorry your RA is being so mean–and on top of everything else you’ve been through recently! Gilda was so right!

I understand your fear regarding the MTX dosage completely. What-if-itis is such a sneaking little disease, undermining confidence, mood, and outlook. I felt the same about hitting the max dose of all my DMARDs, knowing a biologic was the only next step. And now, it seems Humira isn’t doing much, so it’s a either a matter of wait-and-see or try a different one. And in the meantime, the pain and disability remain, slowly ramping up. My heart goes out to you, and I wish I could give you a hug.

I frequently sink my hands into a deep bowl of hot water to help soothe away the pain, but I hadn’t thought of adding Epsom salts. What a great idea! I’ve added them to my list next time I visit the drugstore. I hope the combination makes your wrist and thumb feel better.

As for all that wrapping (ouch!): Maybe it’s time to get some of those Christmas-y printed gift boxes and some cut bags for gifts this year? It’s a concession, I know; you take pride in your beautifully wrapped gifts (I did, too). But you’d have so much less pain…

Would you believe I still haven’t used the Epsom salt yet! I need to set the carton on the counter so I can see it and remember. It’s such a busy time of year right now, I forget things so quickly. Hope the salts give you some relief and I sincerely, greatly hope that your RA gets under control quickly. Sending you good thoughts.

Sorry to hear of your continuing trials…hoping things get better soon so you can enjoy time with your family. BTW, I love Gilda too 🙂 ” It’s always something”…Sending some healing energy to the universe, hoping it will carry it to you and land in time for the holidays. Take care. Hugs.